Sweeping Style

The Ground’s the Limit in This Fall’s Haute Maxi Dresses & Skirts!

Paris Fashion Week - Christian Dior - Haute Couture

September marks the beginning of autumn, which means it should start to cool down soon. Even though temperatures don’t drop much in Florida in the fall, you can still update your wardrobe by going with the (style) flow in this season’s hottest trend: maxi dresses and skirts.

Designers like Haider Ackermann, Derek Lam and Jason Wu aren’t just embracing the maxi trend this fall; they’re actually going to great lengths to bring on the drama with ankle-grazing dresses and skirts that demand serious attention.

From oh-so-precise pleats to prominent patterns—all available in breathable fabrics perfect for the Sunshine State’s warmer climate—this season’s ultra-long dresses and skirts will help you look effortlessly chic.

So if you’re ready to achieve maximum impact with minimal effort, here are some ways to let it flow, let it flow, let it flow:

Prints Charming
If you’re ready to make a bold statement in this season’s floor-sweeping styles, why not go long in print-heavy pieces like mosaic patterns inspired by stained glass, geometrics and tribal-inspired fabrics. During this fall’s runway shows, designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Peter Som helped shine a spotlight on the many powerful prints—everything from daring animal prints to dainty paisley—that will have you standing out in the crowd in high style.

Pleat the Fifth
While pleats aren’t really a novel concept, they’re getting a thoroughly modern makeover. This season, you’ll notice a plethora of pleats on floor-length creations by designers like Richard Chai and Vera Wang. Specifically, they’re incorporating knife pleats (single pleats all going in the same direction) and sunburst pleats (knife pleats that start small at the top and get wider towards the bottom to create a flared-out effect) in their designs. The end result: garments that emanate elegance and femininity without losing their casual cool.

Slash of the Titans
For a little added sex appeal take a cue from celebrities like Rachel Bilson, Emma Stone and Olivia Palermo. They’re spicing up their to-the-floor frocks with a slash of style. So if you’re fascinated by this season’s lengthier looks but don’t want to feel cloistered, consider a leg-baring maxi. The thigh-high slit won’t just keep the dress or skirt from making you feel completely confined; it will add just the right amount of danger and excitement to your already fashion forward look.

Sheer Genius
Sometimes revealing but always alluring, that’s one way to describe this fall’s see-through maxi dresses and skirts. After all, they can be pretty risqué. But you don’t have to be a runway model or have incontestable courage to pull off this eye-catching look with unaffected flair. There are plenty of sheer versions that will have you looking and feeling like a Greek goddess without revealing too much—including maxi skirts and dresses with semi-sheer fabrics, heavy pleats and inbuilt slips. And you can always pair your semi-transparent garment with an oversized sweater or cropped jacket. Just remember: it’s not about wearing something translucent, but how you wear it.

So whether you opt for a bold print or sheer sheath, there’s absolutely no doubt you’ll look simply mod-tastic in this season’s haute maxi dresses and skirts. So go ahead and give ‘em a swirl!

Tom Castañeda

Tom Castañeda is a creative writer, blogger, and award-winning broadcast journalist who has worked at Architectural Digest, In Touch Weekly, and Latina – a fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine for today’s bi-cultural Latina woman. Throughout his career in publishing, Tom has planned and executed numerous celebrity, fashion, and beauty programs throughout the country, including fashion shows, and shopping events for brands like Bloomingdale’s, Chanel, Mikimoto, David Yurman, Givenchy, Armani Fragrances, Macy’s, Southpole Collection, and more. Additionally, Tom has drawn on his strong journalism background to create various print, online, and video reports on various subjects, including fashion and beauty.